Modeling three-dimensional crack interaction in layered materials with weakly bonded interfaces using a phase-field model
Author (s): Munshi, W.N.; Annavarapu, C.; Mulay, S.S. and Rodríguez-Ferran, A.Journal: Engineering Fracture Mechanics
Volume: 329
Date: 2025
Abstract:
We propose a phase-field model to study crack propagation in three-dimensional (3D) layered materials with weakly bonded interfaces. The proposed model incorporates the effect of interface strength by modifying the total energy of the system with the crack surface energy computed only at predefined material interfaces. This is accomplished by computing an additional surface integral over predefined interface locations and is, therefore, a relatively simple modification to legacy implementations of the phase-field fracture model. We validate our numerical implementation of the 3D phase-field model by comparing the results of our study with past investigations for two benchmark problems and demonstrating good qualitative and quantitative agreement. Next, we design several numerical experiments to study the effect of parameters such as through-the-thickness notch inclinations, mismatches in mechanical properties, interface strength, and mechanical loading conditions on crack growth in layered materials. The results demonstrate the robustness of the developed framework to study the various competing mechanisms that govern the failure of layered materials.
Bibtex:
@ARTICLE{2025-EFM-MAMRF,
author = {Munshi, Wasim Niyaz and Annavarapu, Chandrasekhar and Mulay,
Shantanu Shashikant and Rodríguez-Ferran, Antonio},
title = {Modeling three-dimensional crack interaction in layered materials with weakly bonded interfaces using a phase-field model},
year = {2025},
journal = {Engineering Fracture Mechanics},
volume = {329},
number = {111624},
doi = {10.1016/j.engfracmech.2025.111624}
}